Fuel-feeding system.



w. if. MUZZY. FUEL FEEDING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26,1917-RENEWED NOV. 9. 1918.

Patented Dec. 1919 mm w WILLIAM H. MUZZY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNGETO STEtVART-WARNER S?EEDOMETEB CGEIPORATION, OF GHIICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF vinsrnm.

FUEL-FEEDING SYSTEM.

Specification of letters Patented Bee. 23, this.

Application filed February 26, 1917, Serial No. 151,023. RenewedNovember 9, 1918. Serial Nc. 261,940.

To all whom wit may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. Muzzy,

a citizen ofthe United States, residing at uset'ul Improvements inFuel'Feeding Sys tems, of which I declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in fuel feeding systems forauton'iohiles or the like and has more particuhir' relation toimprovements in devices of the character shown and described in myPatents 30. 1,201,077 issued October 10, 1916, and No. 1,222,235, issuedApril 10th, 1917.

this of the several objects of the invention is to provide improvedmeans whereby in a vacuum system such as shown in my aforessaid patentthere will be no chance of the system becoming, exhausted by all of thegasolcnc passing out of the same, and thus become inoperative untilagain provided with the working quantity of gasolene.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means forsuspending the operation of the pumping devices when the system becomesfully charged and so hold it until sul'licientoi the fuel has been usedto again brin it into operation.

Another ob ect of the invention is to so construct the tank andconnected devices that the vacuin'n chamber n'operwill be permanentlysealed with no devices therein that will require any attention and thusdo away with all packing gaskets or other detacha'ble packing meanswait-h are required when the vacuum chamber is not permanently sealed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved valve ordam for the obstruction of the severalpipcs in the system.

Further objects or". the invention are simplicity of construction andthe provision of parts which may be stamped from sheet metal andassembled without machining or being formed with any line fitting"points or joints.

In carryingthese and other objects of the invention into eiiect lutilize certain constructions. combinations and arrangements of partsall of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth andclaimed.

in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification;

Figure 1 represents a central vertical section through a vacuum fuelfeedingtank embodying my invention, and

Fig. 2 represents a detail vertical. section of the lower end of one ofthe pipes showing my improved form of valve or dam.

In general terms the invention may be said to operate by the suctionfrom the manifold of the engine and draw the gasolene from a relativelylow main fuel tank at the rear of the machine in intcrn'iittent pumpingoperations as described and shown in my aforesaid patent and referenceis made to the same for any further description of this generaloperation desired. After being drawn into the elevated tank the gasoleneis fed to the relatively lower carbureter of the engine by gravity. Thisis all old and well known in the art.

In the aforesaid drawings 1 represents the vacuum chamber .or tank and 2the supply chamber or tank. T he vacnun'i chamber is suitably connectedto the manifold of the engine by a pipe 5, having a Small opening 16 atthe end which enters the tank, Whereby the air exhausted in thisvacuumtank so that the atmospheric pressure on the main tank at the rearwill cause the gasolene to pass up a pipe (3 and enter the 'acuumchamber through this pipe which is suitably connectcd to the top of saidchamber or tank and! extends a slight distance down into the same. Thetank 1 is formed from a single stamping and is formed with a flange 17at its lower edge which rests upon a flat plate 18 forming the permanentbottom of the tank. A ring 19 laid on the outer edge 01" the plate 18forms a channel 2Q into which hot solder or brazing compound is run topermanently unite the plate and tank and as this tank contains nomoving" parts there is no occasion'to break this joint again. Allpacking gaskets are thus done away with. The tank or chamber 2 issimilarly formed from a single stamping having an attaching flange 21 atits upper edge by which is attached to the plate 18 by means gasset's-*1 the latter in position. about the trapping chamber or siphoncup t. This latter cup is in turn supported by the vent p1pe 7 whichextends from near the top of the vacuumchamber 1, down through the plate.18, to which it is suitably attached, and

passes through the bottom of said cup 4. The pipe where it passesthrough the plate 18 and the cup 4 is provided with compressionattachments by which it is secured in position. These compressionattachments are used at other locations in the tank but as they are oldand well known in the art no further description of the same 1snecessary.

The feeding pipe 8 extends from the plate 18 to near the bottom of thetrapping cham ber of siphon cup 4: and is held in position by a similarcompression coupling. This pipe is provided at its lower end with avalve which consists of a flat disk'13 and a hook stem 14 supported andguided by a cross pin 15 mounted in the pipe. The lower end of the ventpipe 7 is provided with a similar valve and the pipe in this case isprovided with a small control opening 2% nearits lower end. This openingdetermines the length of the pumping operation as only a certain amountof the gasolene in the cup 3 can pass through the same and apredetermined time must elapse before the cup can be emptied of thegasolene which passes into it from the siphon 9 t which is suitablymounted in the trapping chamber o f'siphon cup 4. The size of the siphonis such that the gasolene from the cup 4 is discharged more rapidly thanthe vent pipe 7 can take it up and the pipe is thus completely chokedand any aircut oil from the chamber 1.

' A feed pipe 10, having one of the valves or dams 13, at its lower endprojects through the plate 18 to which it is suitably attached.

This pipe extends to near the bottom of the.

chamber 2 and up into the chamber 1 to a point slightly above theworking level shown by the linp 0-?) in Fig. 1. As this pipe 10 is theonly means by which gasolene may pass from the chamber 1 to the chamber2 it will be secn that the gasolene in the chamber 1 below the line a'-b will-always be retained as a Working quantity in tanks 1 or sealingreceptacle 3 and trapping chamber 4, and cannot be drained from the tankunder any circumstances,- even when the chamber 2 is drained by theexhaustion of the main tank or for other reasons.

The lower end of the feed pipe 10 is formed with a small notch 25 cut inits lower edge to permit a small quantity of gasolene to pass into thepipe at each pumping operation so that the weight of this gasolene inthis pipe will cause the gasolene in the. chamber 1 to pass down thepipe when air passes up the pipe 7, that is of course provided that thelevel of the gasolene in the vacuum chamber 1 is above the upper end ofthe pipe.

The atmosphere air pipe 11 passes from the top of the tank to which itis suitably attached down through the vacuum chamber l and the plate 18to which latter it is also suitably attached and thus gives the chamber2 atmospheric pressure. This .pressure is also communicated to thesealing receptacle '3 through openings 28 near its upper end and to-thetrapping chamber 4 through openings 26 also near its upper end.

Openings 27 are also formed near the upper end of the sealingreceptacle'8 but below the level of the openings 26 and 28, to allow thegasolene in the chamber 2 to pass into the receptacle 3 when the maximumworking level in the chamber is reached.

This level is indicated by the line ef in Fig. l. o

The operation of the devices are as follows:

When the engine is started the operating gasolone is all in the sealingreceptacle 3 and trapping chamber 1, to which it has run when the enginewas stopped and the vacuum broken in the vacuum chamber 1. The operationof the engine establishes a vacuum in the. chamber 1 and the valves ordams on the pipes, 7, 8 and 10 immediately snap closed, and the gasolenestarts to pass upward through the vent pipe 7 because of the opening 24therein and any slight amount that may pass the dam itself- At the sametime gasolene will pass into the feed pipe 10 through the notch 25 andperhaps slightly around the valve itself but only in suiiicient quantityto about fill the pipe during the time that the operation continues.

The vent pipe 7 then draws all of the gasolenc out of the sealingreceptacle 3 and air starts to pass up the pipe and breaks the vacuum inthe vacuum chamber 1. All the pumping gasolene that was contained in thesealing receptacle 3 is returned to the vacuum chamber 1 and in additionthe main feed pipe 6 has added about anequal quantity from the maintank. The gasolene level will now be above the upper end-0f the pipe 10and as air continues to pass up the pipe 7, gasolene will flow down boththe pipes 8 and 10, the pipe 10 having meantime been filled through thenotch 25 so as to have a pulling head when the vacuum is broken. Whenthe trapping chamber 4 is filled by the gasolene passing down the. pipeSthe siphon 9 operates and discharges a predetermined quantity ofgasolcne into the sealing receptacle 3. This quantity discharged is theworking medium and keeps the vent pipe 7 sealed for a predeterminedtime-for pumpi ees svi ing. The pumping operations follow each other inrapid succession until the gasolene in the chamber 2 rises to the levele-f when it discharges through the openings 27 into the sealingreceptacle 3. As a slight amount of gasolene passes thus into the seal.-ing' receptacle the pipe 7 is momentarily sealed and the gasolene drawnup into the vacuum chamber 1 when the pipe 7 is again unsealed. Whilethe pipe remained scaled the'downward llow through the feed pipes 8 and10 is arrested and then as the vent pipe 7 clears again, resumed. Thisarrestmg of the flow of the gasolene into the trapping chamber 4considerably prolongs the filling of this chamber and the starting ofthe next pumping operation. These operations automatically balance theamount of gasolene being used by the engine and passing out of the pipe12 to the carburetor. It by any chance the pumping operations shouldgain on the amount being used by the engine, as sometimes might happenon very steep down grades then the surplus is returned to the main tankby the siphon effect 7 oiithe end of the pipe 6 which projects down intothe vacuum chamber 1 a certain distance.

The upper end of the pipe 11 is protected by an apertured cap 29.

It will be'seen from the above that the tank cannot exhaust itself sothat it becomes inoperative as many tanks at present on the market do asall the valves or dams are always covered by gasolene and thus renderedair tight even though the tank is otherwise empty. It has been found byexperiment that even nicely ground gravity valves will leak air whenuncovered and applicant therefore always keeps all valves or damscovered by the gasolenc so that the tank is ready to pump at all times.

It willbe observed that the pipe 12 projects up into the tank 2 to thelevel. c-(Z so that the lower end of the pipelO is always covered evenif the tank becomes otherwise depleted for any-cause.

It will also be seen if for any cause the pumping decreases in volume sothat the amount pumped is not suflicient to equal the amount being usedby the engine, that the pumping cycles still continue even after thetank isotherwis exhausted. By this mcansin ascending steep grades thetank will continue to pump with its maximum eiliciency even after thesupply in the chamber 2 is greatly decreased. In many other systems atpresent on the market the operation of the tank will stop or besuspended in its cycle and the lower supply chamber entirely depleted ofgasolene while the upper vacuum chamber has not enough gasolene tocomplete its cycle and descend to the lower chamber.

-"iVith the present improvements the op ma tion of the cycle goes onjust the same withthat attempts to pass into out any definite amountbeing; pumped from the main tank and what little may be pumped in acycle is periodically discharged into the supply chamber This operationkeeps the machine going much longer than to retard the flow of gasolcnetherethrough.

The level y.h is always maintained in the trapping chamber to the lowerend of the pipe 8.

The operation of this tank is entirely automatic and continuous and thepumping operations follow each other in rapid succession except whensuspended by the level in the tank 2 reaching a point where the gasolenepasses through the openings 27 and intermittently chokes the air ventpipe 7 and causes the trapping chamber 4 to fill with a step by stepflow from the feed pipe 8.

It will also be seen that the present improvements do away with all tankcover gaskets that must be'air tight and that require line machine workof the adjoining parts and substitute a permanently sealed chamber thatcontains nothing" that must be inspected or adjusted. In dealing with atank that must be air tight to resist a vaciuun this is of particularadvantage as any slight air leaks at once destroy the operativeness ofthe tank.

The valves '13 are practically trouble proof as they do not alw ys seaton the same portions of the disks and thus automatically cleanthemselves and dislodge any very small particles of dirt that mightlodge on them. Further any leakage does not render them inoperative andthe pumping operation continues until the obstruction it finally washedaway or knocked oil? by the operation of the valve or dam. li hcncverthe vacuum in the chamber 1 is'brokon all the valves 13 drop to theirlower positions by gravity and when the suction is again establishedthey are drawn closed both by the suction and by the stream of gasoleneeach pipe.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a device in which liquid is alternatcly lifted from a lower sourceinto a higher chamber by suction, and discharged therefrom upon relietof the suctioin the method of timing the alternation of suction andrelief therefrom which consists in producing a circulation of adetermined quantity said receptacle being at the fllppel palrt aftersuch quantity is once delivered into thereof.

15. A tank for fuel feeding systiems comprising a vacuum chamberpermanently soldered closed, a supply tank into which the vacuum chamberdischarges detacliably connected to the same and having atmosphericcommunication and control devices including movable parts and locatedwholly within the supply tank so that they may be inspected or repairedat will without breaking any solder-sealed joints.

16. In the construction defined in claim 2, devices for governing therecurrence of suction and relief in definite cycles compris ing thesealing receptacle and a trapping chamber; a liquid fuel supply chamberwhich receives liquid from the vacuum chamber, the trapping chamberhaving connections by which it receives liquid from' the vacuum chamber,an air vent pipe leading from the upper part of the vacuum chamber tothe lower part of the sealing chamber through which liquid may be suckedfrom the sealing chamber back into the vacuum chamber; the liquidcommuni cation, of the vacuum chamber with the liquid fuel supplychamber being at a higher level than communication with the trap pingchamber, the latter. chamber having no outlet below' a predeterminedpoint eX- cept by the means by which it delivers liquid into the sealingreceptacle, said recep-- tacle having no liquid exit except that mentioned leading back inte the vacuum chamher, and the vacuum chamberhaving no liquid exit between the levels of communication of the liquidfuel supply chamber and the trapping chamber respectively, whereby apredetermined quantity of liquid trapped in the lower part of the vacuumchamber and the trapping chamber and sealing receptacle is withoutavenue of escape the vacuum chamber.

- 17. In a fuel feeding system, the combination with a tank having avacuum chamber and rliquid fuel supply chamber, of means for creating avacuum in the vacuum chain-'- her, a fuel supply connection to thevacuum chamber, and control devices for creatlng cycles of pumpingaction and discharging means for the. vacuum chamber to the supplychamber, said chambers and control devices c nstructed and cooperatingto permanently trap a certain operating quantity of liquid fuel in thevacuum chamber an the control devices, and prevent the discharge of saidquantity from the tank.

18. In a fuel feeding system the com-' bination with a tank having avacuum chamber and a supply chamber, of means for creating a vacuum inthe vacuum chamber, a fuel supply connection for the vacuumchambenrontrol devices for creating cycles of pumping and constructed toretain a certain fixed quantity of liquid fuel perma-.

nently trapped against discharge from the tank, and an independentdischarge between the vacuum tank and the supply tank.

19. In a fuel feeding system the combination with a tank having a vacuumchamber and a supply chamber, of means for creating a vacuum in thevacuum chamber, a fuel supply connection for the vacuum chamber. andcontrol devices for creating cycles of pumping and constructed be retaina certain' fixed quantity of fuel permanently trapped against dischargefromthe tank.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signatur in thepresence of twoWitnesses.

WILLIAM H. MUZZY.

Witnesses: M. H..MUzzY, M. I. MUzzr.

